C6 Guitar Chord
C6 is a major sixth chord. It adds a major sixth to a major chord for a sweet, vintage sound. Its notes are C, E, G and A. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in C6
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | Root |
| E | 3 | Major 3rd |
| G | 5 | Perfect 5th |
| A | 6 | Major 6th |
Formula: 1–3–5–6
C6 chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
A-shape 3fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- x 3 5 5 5 5
- Fingers
- – 1 3 3 3 3
How to play C6 (easiest shape)
Shape: A-shape 3fr, tab x 3 5 5 5 5 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Put your index finger (1) on the 5th string at the 3rd fret.
- 2Press the 4th to 1st strings at the 5th fret with your ring finger (3).
- 3Don't play the 6th string.
- 4Strum down from the 5th string to the 1st string.
C6: common questions
- What notes are in the C6 chord?
- C6 has 4 notes: C, E, G and A. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–5–6.
- Is there an easier way to play C6?
- The easiest shape on this page is "A-shape 3fr" (x 3 5 5 5 5). It only needs a short barre: your ring finger (3) covers 4 strings at once.
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See all 231 chords in the chord library, find a scale to play over them, or tune up before you start.